Beetroot and Chocolate Cake

This makes for a very tasty version of the traditional chocolate cake but giving you one of your 5 a-day veg too!

Win win all round :)

Serves : 8

Preparation Time : 15 minutes

Cooking Time : 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 250g Cooked Beetroot

• 200g Quality Dark Chocolate

• 200g Plain Flour

• 200g Unsalted butter ( melted)

• 100g Dark Brown Sugar

• 100g Caster Sugar

• 3 Large Eggs

• 2tbsp Cocoa Powder

• 2tsp Baking Powder

• 1tsp Vanilla Extract

• Icing sugar for dusting / Ganache

Ganache :

• 3/4 cup (185ml) thin cream

• 150g dark chocolate, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Method

Step 1 .

Pre heat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. Grease and line a 23cm loose bottomed cake tin.

Step 2 .

Chop the beetroot into quarters and puree in a food processor.

Step 3 .

Break the chocolate into small pieces and put to one side – some larger pieces will give the cake a great texture.

Step 4 .

Add the remaining ingredients, including the broken chocolate, to the processor and whizz until well mixed. Pour into the prepared cake tin and lightly level out the surface.

Step 5 .

Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. The surface of the cake may have cracked a little. Allow the cake to cool for a few minutes in the tin before removing to a cooling rack.

Step 6 .

Dust lightly with icing sugar and serve in wedges. For dessert, this cake is great with a little crème fraiche on the side.

Ganache :

To make the ganache, combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir over a medium-low heat, for 5 minutes or until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Leave to cool for 5-10 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly and pour over the cake.

#seasonal #cooking